City of Clayton, Ga.
Clayton Mayor Kurt Cannon vetoed a moratorium to pause residential construction on properties that are currently zoned Highway Business (HB) or Commercial Business District (CBD) for 60 days.
The moratorium was passed in a 2-1 vote by Clayton City Council Members at Tuesday's meeting.
Cannon announced the veto in a statement Friday, "To whom it may concern; This letter will serve as my notice of my use of Veto power regarding a Moratorium approved by the City Council on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. I am formally vetoing the Moratorium regarding a pause on approval of any residential building on any property currently zoned Highway Business or Commercial for 60 days. After much discussion with the City Attorney and others involved, this action requires more clarification so as not to create unintended consequences. Respectfully, Kurt Cannon, Mayor."
The letter heading lists Rhonda Lunsford, City Clerk. It Cc: Mitch Baker, City Attorney; David Cross, Mayor Pro Tem; John Bradshaw, Council Member; Amanda Harrold, Council Member; Althea Bleckley, Council Member; Woody Blalock, Council Member, and Trudy Crunkleton, City Manager.
The motion passed Tuesday was a “moratorium to pause residential construction on properties that are currently zoned commercial or highway use for 60 days until we can clarify those ordinances as well.” This meant that residential houses could not be placed on commercial or highway business properties while the moratorium was in place.
Woody Blalock and David Cross abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest, Amanda Harrold and Althea Bleckley voted in favor and John Bradshaw opposed the motion.
There will be a special called meeting next week and the meeting date and time will be announced Monday, according to City Manager Trudy Crunkleton.
Cannon owns Rabun Builders, Inc., which was founded in 1989.